President Said Abdullahi Deni has appointed an ex-spy chief the new police boss of Puntland State in a move that is likely to lead to the reorganization and reformation of the police force.
While announcing the appointment of Abdi Hassan Hussein, who is also known as Abdiyare, Deni said the new police boss’ immediate task is to devise strategies for defeating extremists.
Abdiyare replaces Gen. Muhyadin Ahmed Muse.
The changes, which were announced on Monday, took place less than a month after Al-Shabaab attacked the relatively safe state and killed two officials.
Abdiyare now has the unenviable task of reforming Puntland’s security sector, which was part of President Deni’s promises when campaigning for the top seat.
Before the latest appointment, Abdiyare had served as the Chief of Intelligence Agency in Puntland in former President Abdirahman Faroole’s administration.